Bicycle Mechanics - Headset adjustment Cannondale Synapse carbon

This has the expander plug. The top cap is also the adjustment mechanism, it is internally threaded and screws onto the expander. I can tighten the cap and get the headset tight enough, but not too tight. Usually I can slightly over tighten a headset, then back off to the correct tightness. Any explanation as to the limited amount of adjustment with this headset? BTW, I checked and nothing has bottomed out, not the stem/steerer or the cap/expander. Thanks for any insight.

Probably need to back off the cap all the way, loosen the compression screw, push it further into the steerer and then tighten the expander. This should give you more adjustment room.

Integrated headsets are hard to "overtighten. At any rate, the adjustment is never tighten until bind then back off. It's minimum torque necessary to remove all play. Which is opposite of what the OP is doing.

Thanks for the replies. CAC, I removed the plug and screwed the cap all the way on, counting the turns. I'm pretty sure it was not bottomed out. Operator, I understand your point about tightening just until play is removed. I will revise my method. What is it about integrated headsets that makes them hard to over tighten? Thanks.